Building San Antonio: Your home affects your health

:
January 18, 2013

Your home affects your physical and mental health in many ways. The first consideration is safety. Fire and smoke detectors are required by law; are they installed and functional?

The condition of the electrical system is critical to your safety, and all wiring should be properly grounded. Aluminum wiring, commonly installed during the late sixties and early seventies, must be remediated. Gas appliances and heaters should be properly ventilated.

Cooktop controls should be appropriately located. In a home with small children, the controls should be out of reach; but where elderly people cook, reaching across hot burners can be difficult. Electrical cords should not cross walking surfaces and space heaters should sit on stable surfaces away from flammables. Scatter rugs should be safely anchored, or best of all, removed, to eliminate tripping hazards. Chimneys should be inspected and cleaned occasionally. Is there a safe way to clean the gutters?

Are there safe places for children to play? Be aware that children climb and explore. Before they visit, look for sharp table corners, an unprotected route to the swimming pool, invitations to climb and forgotten cleaning supplies and medications in base cabinets or purses.

The first priority in a home maintenance plan is control of unwelcome moisture. There should be no roof leaks, no leaky windows and no condensation at the walls. Water should be only inside of plumbing or plumbing fixtures. Uncontrolled water causes a myriad of problems by degrading structural materials, attracting termites and insects, and encouraging the growth of mold.

Indoor air quality is also affected by construction materials, which may release undesirable gasses. If a construction material smells bad, it's probably not good for you.

To support respiratory health and discourage sinus infections, it is useful to be aware of “dust-catchers,” particularly near the bed. While fabric headboards provide a soft leaning surface, they will build up a dust mite population over time, as will bookshelves, which should not be located near beds. Bed linens accumulate not only dust, but pet dander, so easy-to-wash materials are best. Pillows should be run through a dryer occasionally. It may be wise to investigate mattress construction before purchase, as any sensitivity to the mattress materials will be magnified because of the lengthy and close contact.

In the rest of the house, look for features that are hard to clean, such as light covers, walls that do not extend to the ceiling, and books. Be sure that even the unseen and out-of-the-way places get a dusting every year or two.

Certainly, health considerations are hugely important in selecting or designing a new home. Even in your existing home, a short assessment of your surroundings can lead to a significant improvement in family health and safety.